Panelists, Frist attempt to tackle health care reform

Well-known policy makers discuss looming issues at Health Care Council event; talk of bankruptcy trustees, mandates and possible '09 bills

Email | Print By Walker Duncan

Debate day got started early this morning with a panel discussion hosted by the Nashville Health Care Council at the Vanderbilt Marriott.

The panel, moderated by former U.S. Senator and Cressey Co. partner Bill Frist, consisted of:

- Chris Jennings, a former senior health care adviser to then President Bill Clinton,
- Chip Kahn, president of the Federation of American Hospitals,
- Dick Morris, the well-known former Clinton adviser and current Fox News contributor, and
- John Podesta, who served as chief of staff for the Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2001.

Frist began the talk by giving a few brief framing remarks, noting – as the rest of the panel would at various points along the way – that while any mention of health care in tonight’s debate will be wrapped in rhetoric, there remain some realities that might not always line up with those party lines.

Dick Morris got the discussion underway with a particularly sunny outlook, opining that the next president will “have a job much like a trustee in a bankruptcy.” He continued saying that while the political will may be there, that the “money for health care reform went out the door last week,” referring to the recently passed bailout solution.

Others disagreed with that take, saying some change could be effected even in light of the current financial crisis. Jennings made a handful of points addressing the issue, pointing to the strong demand from the business community, to the awareness that despite our huge health care spending we’re not getting an equal amount of value, and to the fact that any sort of economic reform is going to have to include health care as a factor.

Essentially, according to his argument, the need for change is both too great and too apparent for no progress to be made.

When that progress might materialize was a bit of a debate in itself. Kahn pointed out that incoming presidents only get so many priority issues and given the current crises in other areas, 2009 won’t likely see any sort of major overhaul in the health care picture, though he did believe, like Jennings that some action would be taken.

Morris offered that there would be gridlock, but not based on party lines. (On multiple occasions, he predicted a sweeping victory for Democrats in both the House and Senate, with Obama winning the White House handily.) Instead, he said the gridlock will be a financial one, with both government agencies and the Obama administration stuck trying to detoxify the country’s debt.

Jennings disagreed here, too, again pointing to the huge pressure for some sort of reform.

Later, when Frist asked the panel about the two candidates' respective health care policies, all were quick to point out shortfalls.

Kahn, who throughout the discussion emphasized a need for universal coverage, noted that neither plan really seems set up to accomplish what it’s allegedly designed to do. He said that, when it all boils down, Obama’s plan doesn’t really get everyone covered while McCain’s plan doesn’t seem like it will be able to contain costs all that much.

Morris attempted to follow with a denunciation – one of many – of any sort of mandated health care coverage, but was cut off by Jennings, who offered the view that, while many people bristle at the idea of a mandate, he doesn’t see how its possible to get everyone in the system without some sort of requirement.

Podesta, like his co-panelists, also expressed concern with McCain’s plan to allow health insurance to be sold across state lines, arguing that after insurance companies naturally flock to the states with the least regulation, those who have pre-existing conditions will likely be unable to get any insurance.

Additionally, he pointed out that the proposed tax credit, once it works itself in to the system, could actually lead to a tax increase for middle-income families after money is taken from other programs and those shortfalls are covered.

Finally, all four were asked to given their predictions for the next two years and four years.

After again offering his view that Obama and the Democrats will win in a walk and that financial gridlock will tie their hands from the outset, Morris predicts that the failure to deliver on campaign promises and the chafing caused by any government mandate on health care will cause approval numbers for both Obama and the legislative branch to plummet.

“People will look back to the halcyon days when Bush was president,” he joked, drawing the biggest laugh of the morning.

Two years hence, the Republicans will win landslides in the House and Senate, leaving Obama a lame duck.

After the chuckling died down, Podesta then took his turn. He said the next president will have to find a way to make both the economy and wages climb, and that health care is a piece of that puzzle. Additionally, he predicted that Obama will make health care a primary issue.

Jennings, who like most of the panelists predicted an Obama victory, said he believes some sort of reform will occur. Kahn began by warning that his crystal ball is cloudy and unfortunately he “can’t see the future as clearly as Dick.”

He did offer a prediction, though, that sometime in 2009 there will be some kind of health care bill that addresses some of the issues plaguing the sector today. But it will fall shy of any kind of complete overhaul, he added.

All four panelists expressed excited anticipation about tonight’s debate, where thanks to the town hall format, health care is much more likely to be addressed.